Which type of therapy is aimed at specifically attacking cancer characteristics?

Targeted therapy is designed to specifically attack cancer characteristics by focusing on the molecular and genetic changes that are unique to cancer cells. Unlike other forms of treatment that may impact both cancerous and normal cells, targeted therapy works to inhibit cancer cell growth by targeting specific pathways or markers that are fundamental to the cancer's development and progression. This specificity allows for potentially improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared to traditional treatments that are less selective.

In contrast, chemotherapy broadly attacks fast-growing cells, which includes not only cancer cells but also some healthy cells, leading to a range of side effects. Immunotherapy leverages the body’s immune system to fight cancer, enhancing its ability to detect and destroy cancer cells, but it does not directly target the inherent characteristics of the cancer itself. Hormonal therapy involves blocking or removing hormones that fuel certain cancers but is not focused on attacking the characteristics of cancer cells at a molecular level. Thus, targeted therapy stands out as the method specifically tailored to address the unique attributes of cancer.